FOUR men were detained for alleged poaching following reports of suspicious activity in a field near Ross-on-Wye.

Police officers from Ross-on-Wye’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, accompanied by a county response officer co-ordinated a search of the area on Wednesday, December 4.

A force spokesperson said they found a group of four men along with three dogs and seized alleged ‘lamping equipment’ that included very bright spotlights and a vehicle.

Such ‘lamping’ equipment is designed to dazzle animals before they are shot or send in the dogs.

All four men were questioned and have been reported for poaching offences using laws, namely the Night Poaching Act, which dates back to the Georgian era from the early 19th century.